Sprinter: On the road in Alaska at temperatures of minus 50 degrees Celsius

Vans. Born to run: Mercedes-Benz Vans recently demonstrated the validity of this brand claim under demanding conditions. The Mercedes-Benz Citan and Vito models both came out on top in the icy Arctic Van Test in Finland. The Sprinter Arctic Drive in North America posed an even bigger challenge, as it required the Sprinter to perform a long distance drive to Alaska under extreme conditions.

Citan: Clear winner in the Arctic Van Test’s Small Van category

The new Mercedes-Benz Citan clearly outperformed the competition in its category. This was the first time the model had participated in the Arctic Van Test, and it immediately made a good impression in terms of the driving experience it offers - which was a major focus in the development of the smallest Mercedes-Benz van. The Citan boasts the typical brand combination of outstanding driving performance regarding handling, safety, and comfort.

The test series in Finland included trips through urban areas, long-distance drives, handling tests on slippery surfaces of ice, and heating system performance following a cold start. The Citan clearly beat the competition at temperatures that dropped as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius. The Arctic Van Test is sponsored by renowned commercial vehicle publications from several European countries.

Vito: Number one in its class in the Arctic Van Test

Along with city delivery vans, the jury for the Arctic Van Test also closely examined the performance of compact vans in cold winter conditions. These vans were put through the same demanding tests - and in the end, a van with a star had once again come out on top.

“These two victories confirm that our vans perform outstandingly even under extremely difficult conditions,” says Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. “We’re especially pleased by the fact that the Citan was able to achieve a victory in its very first Arctic Van Test.”

Sprinter: On the road in Alaska at temperatures of minus 50 degrees Celsius

Even more challenging was the endurance test, nine Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans were put through in North America by automotive journalists. The vans were sent on a 5,300-kilometer drive that started in Edmonton, Canada, and continued through British Columbia and Yukon before finishing in Anchorage, Alaska. During the test, the Sprinters had proved that they can succeed even under extreme conditions that included cold starts at temperatures that reached nearly minus 50 degrees Celsius. Both the vans and their drivers were certainly put to the test on snowy and icy roads on a drive that featured frost heavings and steep mountain passes.

The independent test drivers praised the superior performance of the Sprinter’s V6 CDI engine, as well as the model’s low overall noise levels and good drivability in all situations . The Sprinter’s functional and comfortable cab also provided a fitting contrast to the inhospitable conditions on the road outside.